Radon

What is Radon?
Radon is a tasteless, odorless, colorless radioactive gas. It is a naturally occurring gas that can seep into your home through cracks, sump pump pits, crawl spaces and other holes that may be in the foundation. Your home traps the gas inside, where is can build up to unsafe levels. Radon is found in outside air also, but is very diluted so it is rarely a concern. Radon can vary greatly from one location to another. Just because the neighbor's house has high levels does not necessarily mean your home will. The only way to know for sure is test for Radon.

Why is Radon a Health Risk?
Radon is considered a Class A carcinogen and is the 2nd leading cause of lung-cancer in the United States, resulting in approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Not everyone exposed to high levels of radon will develop lung cancer. But radon exposure, both level and duration, along with other risk factors including smoking increase the risk.

Where can I buy a test kit?
Test kits can be purchased from the Environmental Health Office for $15 each. Some hardware and home improvement stores may sell test kits also.